More Fallout from the Iraqi Torture Scandal

More fallout from the Iraqi torture scandal, that is the subject of this evening's "Talking Points Memo." President Bush attempted today to explain to the Arab world that America not a barbaric country and that the torture situation was the exception rather than the rule.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: First I want to tell the people of the Middle East that the practices that took place in that prison are abhorrent and they don't represent America. They represent the actions of a few people. Secondly, it's important for people to understand that in a democracy, you know, that there will be a full investigation of -- we want to know the truth.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'REILLY: Of course, clear thinking Americans know U.S. policy does not encourage brutality. What happen in times of war is never predictable. The torture stuff did happen because young Americans were allowed by their superiors to abuse their positions. Every army has undisciplined and downright bad people. Ours is no exception, but we are not brutal people. We are not using our power for evil purposes.

But many overseas don't accept that. Look at this cartoon on the front page of the French paper "Le Monde." It says, "Repeat after me: Democracy." -- The American boot on the face of an Iraqi is a nice touch, isn't it?

So why would "Le Monde" do this? Surely the editors of that publication know that U.S. policy doesn't condone or accept torture. Surely they know that soldiers caught abusing Iraqis will be punished. So what's the point here?

The answer to that question is the ongoing attempt by France and some other countries to demonize America? Jealousy is a factor but the situation is far more serious.

The French government knows that Saddam may have bribed some high ranking officials in its own government. And despite U.N. attempts at stonewalling, that information is likely to come out. So the more France can diminish the U.S.A., the less likely any charges that come from America will be taken seriously.

"Le Monde" should be ashamed of itself, but it isn't because that paper is not interested in telling the truth and providing perspective. It is interested in propping up the French position that America is an out of control bully, driven by religious fanatics.

France itself has no strategy to fight the war on terror, has a rising anti-Semitic problem, and a stagnating economy. It is also being boycotted by millions of Americans, like me, who feel the country is not only a bad ally, but actively works to undermine American security.

If France and Russia had enforced the cease-fire that Saddam signed after the Gulf War, there would not have been a second war. So don't expect the president's explanation to do much good. America's not likely to get a fair shake overseas any time soon, especially by the likes of France.

And that's "The Memo."

The Most Ridiculous Item of the Day

Time now for "The Most Ridiculous Item of the Day"...

Here's a story you won't see headlined in the elite media. According to the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy (search), a study of gay marriage in Sweden shows that gay men have a 50 percent higher divorce rating than heterosexuals, and lesbians divorce at a rate 167 percent higher than straight couples. Whoa... The study doesn't say why and I don't know either. To speculate would be ridiculous but perhaps we can ask the "Queer Eye" guys.